Australian news, and some related international items

A Coalition of Citizens and Organizations calling for a national conversationon Australia’s identity and the place of war in its past and future We do not believe that Australia as a nation was born in war. We honour all Australians who have died and
suffered in war, and respect the contribution and suffering of their families and loved ones.
We appreciate that many young Australians died and were wounded at Gallipoli. We deeply regret the tragic
loss of life in the killing fields of the First World War. This and other wars have had terrible consequences
not only for the soldiers but for their loved ones and descendants, and for Australian society generally. The experience of war encourages us to redouble our efforts in peacemaking and peacebuilding.
We believe that Australia should not in future be involved in wars at the behest of ‘great and powerful
friends’. Australia, like all other countries, must abide by the UN Charter which stipulates that force may be used in only two circumstances: in self-defence or in operations authorised by the United Nations.

We wish to celebrate a story of Australia as a nation which:
• brought together peacefully six colonies in one Federation;
• pioneered universal suffrage for all including women, and brought in the eight hour day and the living
wage;
• since 1945, has welcomed 6.5 million migrants seeking a new life;
• has successfully shaped a multicultural, multifaith community;
• has supported humanitarian projects and UN peace missions.
Much remains to be done to: officially recognise the violent colonisation of this land and resolve the troubled
relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians; strengthen Australian multiculturalism;
constructively engage with the peoples of Asia and the South Pacific; warmly welcome refugees and asylum
seekers; actively support the United Nations and its programs; and promote peace with justice for all.
To this end we propose to:
• mount and support a range of community reflection and education programs;
• provide appropriate resources for teachers and students;
• make representations to governments and members of parliament;
• contribute to an informed public debate in religious, ethnic and mainstream media as well as social
media; and
• advocate the establishment of new institutions, including a peace museum and a government agency
dedicated to disarmament, mediation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
____________________________________________
The Coalition includes:
Australian Christian Student Movement (ASCM); Borderlands Cooperative Limited; Brigidine Sisters,
Kildara Centre; Derek McDougall; Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign; Lorel Thomas; Medical
Association for the Prevention of War (MAPW); Pace e bene Australia, Inc; Pax Christi Victoria; Philippine
Caucus for Peace; Rev Ian Smith; Soka Gakkai International Australia (SGIA); The Melbourne Unitarian
Peace Memorial Church; Victorian Council of Churches (VCC); Jeff Wild http://paxchristi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015-Statement-ANZAC-Centenary.pdf

1.This month

Read summaries of submissions to the Senate, re the Selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility in South Australia. Each summary has a link to the full submission. Obviously the Department of Industry Innovation and Science (DIIS) was not happy with the majority of submissions opposing the process, so now are trying to get a better (for them) result

SUBMISSIONS CALLED FOR – about “Broad Community Support” for a nuclear waste dump in Kimba or Hawker, South Australia

The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science wants submissions between 1 August and 24 September 2018. People can resend the submissions already sent to the Senate Inquiry. Submissions to the department will only be made public where permission is provided.

See our page: Submissions on Radioactive Waste Code 2018/ Submissions published by ARPANSA are overwhelmingly critical, and in opposition to the Federal nuclear dump plan for rural South Australia. [not to be confused with the current SENATE INQUIRY Selection process for a national radioactive waste management facility in South Australia.]